About GMLRC

Established in 2008 as part of the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU), the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre (GMLRC) is part of a Local Record Centre network that spans the entire UK. LRCs are responsible for local ecological data. We collect, verify, safeguard and share records relating to species, habitats and sites designated as having local, national and international conservation value.

The records we manage are used locally and nationally to inform planning strategy and provide advice relevant to individual planning applications, to support projects and research papers, to develop management plans, to target interventions and to engage people in natural heritage. Records provide both valuable historical information and insight for generations to come.

We are the only LRC operating in the Greater Manchester County. Our area is made up of ten districts, namely Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford & Wigan.

Our main roles

To actively encourage wildlife recording across the ten districts of Greater Manchester by providing advice, training and support to individuals and recording groups. Much of this work is delivered via our projects.

To build up a detailed knowledge of the distribution of Greater Manchester's wildlife and to monitor changes, by ensuring that as much of the wildlife data as possible that is collected in Greater Manchester is held in a central database and is made available to the people who need it.

To provide the general public with information about their local wildlife sites, whilst protecting vulnerable species.

To act as a link between local recorders, national recording schemes and the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), who make wildlife data available at a national level for research and conservation purposes.

Do you record wildlife?

We rely upon volunteer recorders with local knowledge to keep our information up-to-date by regularly submitting their observations and survey information. The work of our volunteers is important for conservation and improving outcomes for Greater Manchester's wildlife.

Further information

For more information about the roles that your Local Record Centre fulfils and the services we offer download this helpful booklet.